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Cinema

Studying cinema at Virginia Tech provides a well-rounded education in the history, art, technology, and methods of the cinema and theatre industries. Through a high-quality classroom experience and hands-on collaborative work with other performing arts students and faculty, prepare for a career in the film industry. 

What you'll study

The cinema curriculum features courses in film history, criticism, and production, along with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of theatre performance, history, and production, while earning a B.A. degree in Theatre Arts with a cinema focus.

You'll learn about the history of cinema, its visual designs and production methods, its role in modern social and political movements, and its business operations. Through hands-on projects, you will gain experience in the art and practice of cinematography and filmmaking.

These hands-on projects are not only guided closely by our esteemed faculty, but feature strong collaboration with students and faculty of the theatre arts program.

You'll take 120 credit hours for a bachelor of arts degree, including Virginia Tech's Pathways.

10:1 student to teacher ratio

52 cameras for student use

9 editing stations

2 sound recording booths

To study cinema at Virginia Tech is to enter into a strong community of collaborators, both within the cinema program and in theatre arts. The program offers multiple opportunities to work through complex problems and gain experience by completing projects, internships, study abroad, and undergraduate research. Our students learn by doing – continuously!

Beyond the classroom

Get Involved

Learn more about the community-based opportunities the cinema program offers, including film screenings, guest speakers from within the cinema industry, and other public events. 

Cinema students also have the opportunity to perform various roles within the theatre arts program, such as set building, projection design, and recording performances. 

collaborate

Film Festival

An annual event, Progeny's mission is to foster and showcase short, thoughtful, independent-minded, DIY-spirited regional filmmaking by independent filmmakers and students.

Cinema student camera

Developing You as an Artist

Virginia Tech offers lots of options to help start your career out strong in any area that interest you. Exploration and discovery are always encouraged! Access the wide inventory of film equipment, labs, and recording booths as you learn by doing. 

 

Sound booth

Expert Faculty 

We have a wide range of esteemed faculty members who are passionate about your education.

class

Careers and further study

Headshot of Nadia Dawson
Nadia Dawson, '21

Nadia’s favorite aspect of studying cinema at Virginia Tech was the opportunity to surround herself with successful and passionate faculty members and collaborators. In addition to the work she completed in her film courses, Nadia served as a video intern for Virginia Tech Dining Services and looks forward to pursuing her film and photography passions in her career.

Headshot of Sophia Trout
Sophia Trout, '21

Sophia discovered the cinema major after arriving at Virginia Tech and credits the community for her success. Her short film, Metamorphosis, won Best Documentary Short at the Progeny Film Festival in 2020. She knows she will use her experiences as an Assistant Director for a film in Richmond. 

An exciting career in cinema awaits you, and the possibilities are endless. Options include:

  • Film Director
  • Film Editor
  • Cinematographer
  • Screenwriter
  • Producer
  • Gaffer
  • Grip 
  • Actor

 

Interested in our graduate programs? Check out our Master's degrees and certificate options.